The leading research intensive universities in the Midlands have appointed their first Director to oversee the development of an exceptional HE partnership, which aims to harness their combined research power and bring significant economic benefits to the Midlands Engine and rest of the UK.

The University of Birmingham has been named among the top five UK institutions for graduate employment. Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that almost 87 per cent of Birmingham's leavers were in graduate-level jobs or further education within six months of graduating. These figures from the 2014/15 academic year are the University's strongest results yet and place Birmingham fourth nationally for graduate employment.

New research published has revealed that affection from grandparents towards their grandchildren may play a major role in contributing to the childhood obesity pandemic in China. A study by the University of Birmingham (UK) shows that grandparents tend to indulge, overfeed and protect grandchildren in their care from physical chores, thus increasing their risk of obesity.